Regulatory T-cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: actor or innocent bystander?

Am J Blood Res. 2013;3(1):52-7. Epub 2013 Jan 17.

Abstract

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are now under extensive investigation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This small subset of T-cells has been, in fact, considered to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of CLL. However, whether Treg dysregulation in CLL plays a key role or it rather represents a simple epiphenomenon is still matter of debate. In the former case, Treg cells could be appealing for targeting therapies. Finally, Treg cells have also been proposed as a prognostic indicator of the disease clinical course.

Keywords: Tregs; chronic lymphocytic leukemia; prognosis.